Integrated circuit handling system

ABSTRACT

A handling system, including an environmental system, for bringing a manufactured I.C. component into contact with a test contactor. Various parts, portions, and subcombinations of the system, including a hand feeder and orientor, an extension feeding conduit with an air pressure or friction wheel drive, a quick connect-disconnect output chute connector, a handling mechanism, a connector to attach a test contactor to a handling mechanism, a five place sorting apparatus, an environmental handling mechanism, and an insulated housing are detailed.

United States Patent 11:1 3,677,401

Chaparro et al. [451 July 18, 1972 [s41 INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HANDLING 3,198,330 8/1965 Wieoler =1 a]. ..209/81 R SYSTEM 3,209,901 10/1965 Wiesler =1 al. .109/1411 3,389,787 6/1968 Wilks ..209/81 R inventors: John .I. Chaparro; Lowdl V. Ellb, both of San Diego; Doyle W. Meanor, Lakeside; William D. Morton, In; Bernd l'l. Richelnianu, both of San Diego; George II. Ros, Mill Valley; John E. Toth, San Diego, all

of Calif.

Axsignee: Della Design, Inc., La Mesa, Calif.

Filod: June 8, I970 App]. No.: 44,401

Pn'mary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney-Beehler 8L Arant ABSTRACT A handling system, including an environmental system, for bringing a manufactured l.C. component into contact with a test contactor. Various parts, portions, and suboombinations of the system, including a hand feeder and orientor, an extension feeding conduit with an air pressure or friction wheel us. c1 .109/73, 209/74, 209/81 Int. Cl. .307: 5/344 dnve' 3 oomect'dmonnect output chm: connector' 3 mm of Search ..209/72, 13, 74, 81; 193/31, hflndlins mschanism, conmtor to wash a 00mm" to 193 31 A a handling mechanism, a five place sorting apparatus, an environmental handling mechanism, and an insulated housing References Cited are detailed.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 9 Clflnl, 39 Drawing Figures 2,999,587 9/1961 Campbell ..209/74 R 14. Sheets-$heet l V Patented July 18, 1972 14. Sheets-Shes t :3

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Patented July 18, 1972 14. Sheets-Sheet 5 M d 0 5.27 a wwwaa ww flaw 0 I MM WM Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,401

14 Sheets-Sheet 5 iiifi Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,401

14 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,401

14 Sheets-Sheet 9 l Mam/a/ 3 lzgggzlc Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,401

14 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 Maw Arm

Patented July 18, 1972 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 Patented July 18, 1972 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Fig.3;

Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,401

14. Sheets-Sheet L4 Maw INTEGRATED CIRCUIT HANDLING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a handling system for testing integrated circuits and more particularly, first, to an automatic, high volume handling system for bringing integrated circuit components into contact with a testing device and for sorting the tested components in response to the test results, and, second, to the individual elements of the system.

2. Description of the Prior Art Over the last few decades there has been rapid technical advances made in the electronic component field toward miniaturization. For example, the integrated circuit (hereinafter referred as l.C.), which may be defined as a device consisting of a number of circuit elements inseparably associated on or within a continuous body to perform the function of a circuit, has been developed to such an extent that its physical size is quite small. At the same time, techniques have been developed so that these components can be produced in large number on an assembly line basis.

As in any other manufacturing system, testing equipment has been developed to determine the quality of the product being manufactured.

Because the LC. components are physically small, carriers have been developed. A carrier is a small plastic device which may be used to transport a component during manufacturing and during shipment to a component user; the carrier provides a uniform and consistent outer periphery for ease of handling, and acts to protect the relatively fragile LC. component from damage. To insure characteristics of an LC. component it is tested prior to shipment. Various equipment has been developed to handle a component during the testing process. For example, there are devices which are hand loaded one component carrier at a time, having manual mechanisms which move the component into contact with a test contactor and which collect the tested component as it is ejected from the handling device. An environmental device exists which requires hand loading component carriers in a rotatable drum which must then be manually rotated by an operator in a sequential fashion to bring an individual component in contact with the test contactor. All of this prior art equipment, however, lacks the ability to handle components quickly enough to be compatible with a high volume LC. production system. In addition, other problems, such as frequent jamming, diflicult environmental control, high labor costs, low reliability, manual sorting, and nonuniform environmental immersion times, are present with the manual equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a component handling device comprising a housing; a handling mechanism disposed within said housing and including means for receiving said component and positioning said component at a first level and means for removing said component from said receiving and positioning means, for cooperating to cause said component to move from said first level to a second level, for moving said component into contact with a test contactor and removing said component away from said contractor; and a feeding chute connected to said housing in communication with said receiving and positioning means, said chute including a first opening for serially receiving components, means for guiding said components, said guide means including an elongated projection adapted to be received by a mating elongated groove in a component carrier, and said guide means including a restricted elongated passage, and a second opening for serially emitting said components. In addition, the invention includes an environmental component handling system comprising feeding means for receiving in batch a plurality of components, for orienting said components in a predetermined attitude; conduit means for moving said components from said feeding means to a handling mechanism; an insulated housing for enclosing said handling mechanism; a handling mechanism including a rotatable drum means disposed within said housing for receiving and for temporarily storing components; a transfer means disposed within said housing for receiving serially said components from said receiving and storing means, for moving said components into contact with a test contactor and for moving said components away from said test contactor; an index means connected to said housing for rotating said receiving and storing means; linkage means connected to said housing for cycling said transfer means and for actuating said index means; and electrical and mechanical means for actuating said linkage mean. In addition, the invention includes various parts and portions and subcombinations of the systems described.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic I.C. handling system compatible with high volume LC. production capabilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic environmental I.C. handling system which is compatible with high volume LC. production capabilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feed ing chute which will accept carriers in only one attitude and which will test the distortion of the carriers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extended feeding track which will propel carriers along the track and also sense the number of carriers on the track.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick connect-disconnect connector for connecting an output chute and a handling mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic handling mechanism which is quick, efficient, and reliable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick connect-disconnect connector for connecting a test contactor and a handling mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a five place sorting apparatus which is reliable and has high speed sorting capabilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fan assembly for an environmental handling device which presents excessive outer surface temperatures when the device is at high temperatures and prevents condensation when the device is at low temperatures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulator for an environmental handling device which effectively insulates the test environment within a temperature range varying from -7$C. to l$0C., is low in weight, is able to provide relatively thin walls, and is relatively inexpensive.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic l.C. environmental handling system which is quick, efficient, and reliable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic handling system for the testing of LC. components.

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of one embodiment of an LC. carrier.

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of another embodiment of an LC. carrier.

FIG. 2c is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an LC. carrier.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of a feeding chute and illustrates a carrier in phantom line.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view partially broken away of an extended feeding track.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view partially in diagrammatic form illustrating a set of wheels for moving a carrier through the extended track.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connector attached to an output chute in a position to receive a magazine.

FIG. 9 is an elevational sectional view taken along 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating the magazine in a connected position.

FIG. 9a is a perspective view of the locking shaft shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 10 is a plan view partially broken away of a handling mechanism, shown in a position to receive a carrier with a component from a feeding device.

FIG. II is a reduced sectional elevational view taken along line ll-Il ofFIG. I0.

FIG. I2 is an enlarged elevational sectional view of a portion of the handling mechanism of FIGS. 10 and l I.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged elevational sectional view of a portion of the handling mechanism of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 10 illustrating the component carrier in test position.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged elevational sectional view of a portion of the mechanism of FIGS. 10 and l I.

FIG. 16 is a partially broken away perspective view of a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is a partial elevational view illustrating a portion of the mechanism of FIG. 16.

FIG. I8 is a perspective view of a quick connect-disconnect connector for connecting a test contactor to the housing of a handling mechanism.

FIG. I9 is an elevational view of a portion of the connector of FIG. I 8.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a sorting apparatus having the capability of sorting products into five groups.

FIG. 2] is a rear elevational view partially in diagrammatic form of a portion of the sorting apparatus of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the portion of the sorting apparatus of FIG. 2] illustrating the sorting apparatus set to deposit a product in the middle of the five sorting locations.

FIG. 23 illustrates the portion of the sorting apparatus set to deposit a product in one of the right side sorting locations.

FIG. 24 illustrates the portion of the sorting apparatus set to deposit a product in one of the lefi side sorting locations.

FIG. 25 illustrates the portion of the sorting apparatus set to deposit a product in the far right location.

FIG. 26 illustrates the portion of the sorting apparatus set to deposit a product in the far left location.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an environmental handling device, including a fan enclosure mounted to the housing of the device.

FIG. 28 is an elevational sectional view of the fan enclosure shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an elevational sectional view of the insulation of the housing of FIG. 27, taken along line 29-49 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a right elevational view of an environmental handling mechanism.

FIG. 31 is a plan sectional view taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a left elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 is a rear elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 30.

FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 30.

FIG. 36 is a diagrammatic illustration of the means for moving the handling mechanism of FIG. 30.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates an automatic I.C. handling system comprising three main parts. The first part of the system is a feeding device; the feeding device receives completely manufactured I.C. components which have been previously placed in carriers, such as the carriers illustrated in FIGS. 20, 2b, and 2c. The components may be oriented by hand before being inserted into a handling mechanism or may be deposited in batch fashion in a device which orients the carriers, such as a vibratory feeder 10, as illustrated in FIG. I. The vibratory feeder comprises a large bowl 12 into which carriers may be dumped and a vibration mechanism (not shown) within the housing 14 which causes the bowl to be vibrated at some predetermined frequency. The vibrations cause the carriers to be moved toward a track which will orient the carriers in one attitude only and which accept the carriers in a serial fashion. The vibratory feeder may be positioned in any convenient fashion. such as atop a movable stand 15, so that the feeder is at a higher altitude than the remainder of the system to allow gravity feeding. Vibratory feeders are well known, and a suitable feeder may be purchased from Automation Services Inc., of Fairview, Pa. As will be described hereinbelow, other types of feeding devices may be used in the system without disturbing the other two main parts of the system. This interchangeability concept is applicable to all the main parts of the system.

A feeding track I6 connects the vibratory feeder 10 to the second main part of the system, that is, to a handling mechanism 18. The function of a handling mechanism is to receive a component in a carrier, move the component into contact with a test contactor, hold the component in test position for a predetermined period of time until a test has been completed, and then eject the component to a collection device, such as a sorting apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the handling mechanism I8 is positioned upon a table 20. A test contactor (not shown in FIG. I) would be connected to the handling mechanism 18 by the pair of connectors 22, and the test contactor communicates with a computer which will perform predetermined tests upon each of the LC. components to determine characteristics.

After a component has been tested, the computer may deliver a signal to the third part of the system, such as to the sorting apparatus 24, shown in FIG. 1. The sorting apparatus will direct the tested component to one of the three containers 25, 26 or 27 for temporary storage.

Since the system is made up of three main parts, and various interchangeable devices are available for each of the system's parts, it is to be understood that various combinations can be devised depending upon which of the devices are put together. For example, a hand feeding device, shown in FIG. 3, or the vibratory feeding device of FIG. I can be used as a first part. In a similar fashion, an environmental handling mechanism, such as shown in FIGS. 27-36, may be substituted for the handling mechanism 18, FIG. I (as more fully illustrated in FIGS. 10-17). The third part may feature the three bin sorting apparatus 24, FIG. I, a five bin sorting apparatus, FIGS. 20-36, a three magazine sorting device (not shown), a single magazine or any other receiving and containing device for accepting the output from the handling mechanism. The particular system chosen will be a function of such factors as production capabilities and cost.

While the entire system shown in FIG. I may be automatic once the component carriers are deposited in the bowl l2 to the time an operator empties the three containers 25, 26, and 27, various parts of the unit may be manually operated by foot or hand. For example, a hand actuating unit 28, having three buttons, may be used to operate the three bin sorting apparatus 24. In a like fashion a foot pedal 30 may be provided to actuate the handling mechanism 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, there is illustrated in more detail three carriers which are designed to carry the three most popular I.C. components. Most I.C. manufacturers will ofl'er a given circuit in any of three packages which are commonly termed DIP, TO-S, and Flatpaclt. For example, carrier 50, FIG. 2a, is especially designed for the DIP package, carrier 52, FIG. 2b, is for a TO-S package, and carrier 54, FIG. 2c, is for a Flatpack package. It is to be understood that each of the carriers 50, S2, and 54 have identical peripheral dimensions and are each polarized in two different ways. First, each of the carriers has peripheral cutouts, such as cutout 56 of the carrier 50, cutout 58 of the carrier 52, and cutout 60 of the carrier 54; secondly, and more importantly herein, each carrier has a longitudinally extending groove, such as a groove 62 of the carrier 50, a groove 64 of the carrier 52, and a groove 66 of the carrier 54. One or both of the polarizing features enable efficient and reliable means for allowing the carriers to be used in an automatic handling system, as described in FIG.

I, for example. It is to be understood that the carriers are provided for the purpose of establishing a form of standardization to allow automatic handling by various types of equipment of various types of I.C. packages. Carriers such as illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and may be purchased from the Barnes Corporation of Lansdowne, Pa.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 2b, an LC. component would have its head portion positioned on or within the can'ier so as to have the electrical leads extending away from the viewer; for example, the leads of the DIP package would be positioned to fall within the recesses 68 of the carrier 50, while the head portion would be surrounded by the walls 67 so as to block the view of the leads and the recesses 68. The leads of the T05 would extend through openings, such as opening 69 of the carrier 52, while the head portion would be positioned to block the view of the circular wall 7!. The Flatpack carrier 54 is illustrated rotated 180 relative the DIP and T05 carriers 50 and 52, respectively, and would have the head portion of the [.C. component positioned above an opening 70 with the leads located within the series of recesses 72 extending longitudinally to either side of the opening 70.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated a channel-shaped feeding chute 74 having an upper end opening 76 to receive a component carrier, such as one of those shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c. The chute is designed so that carriers can only be inserted serially in one way to insure that the component leads are properly positioned to come into contact with a test contactor. With the position of the chute 74 as shown the attitude of a carrier would be identical to that shown in FIG. 2c. Secondly, the chute is designed so that carriers which have been improperly manufactured or have been damaged through prior use and which could cause a jamming of the handling mechanism will not be accepted beyond a predetermined location. The advantage of a carrier checker is to quickly find and dispose of unacceptable carriers without necessitating stoppage of the system, opening the handling mechanism, and removing a jammed or disoriented carrier. It is, of course, understood that a main advantage of any handling system, and the present system in particular, is the rapid handling of a component so as to be compatible with a high rate production system.

To achieve orientation the feeding chute 74 has an elongated projection 78 which extends in a longitudinal direction from the top opening 76 part way toward a bottom opening 80 from which the component carriers are serially emitted and received by a handling mechanism. The projection 78 corresponds to engage the longitudinal groove of a carrier, such as the longitudinal groove 62 of the carrier 50, FIG. 2a. Hence, the carrier can be inserted in only one attitude which is compatible with the handling mechanism. For example, the carriers 50 and 52 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, respectively, would be inserted into the chute 74 in a position 180 from that shown, while the carrier illustrated in FIG. 2c would be inserted in its present attitude as already mentioned.

Usually after a great deal of use or due to an improper forming operation, it is possible that the longitudinal peripheries of a carrier may be distorted so as to enhance the probability of jamming the handling mechanism. For example, referring to FIG. 2c, the longitudinal surface 82 may have become bowed or twisted to such a degree that it would be inadvisable to have the handling mechanism accept the carrier. The feeding chute 74 is provided with two lip portions 84 and 06 which combine with guide plates 88 and 90 and flange surfaces 89 and 91 to form restricted elongated passages which are slightly larger in dimension than the lateral width of the longitudinal periphery of a carrier, such as the carrier 79 drawn in phantom. Thus, should the carrier be distorted, bowed, or twisted in any fashion, the feeding chute will prevent the carrier from proceeding any further than the restrictive passages. As shown, the guide plates 88 and 90 are connected by fasteners to the two legs 93 and 95 of the channel-shaped chute. Additionally, it is noted that the projection 78 is integral with the guide plate 88.

In order to securely attach the chute to the upper portion of a handling mechanism so that the components may be gravity fed through the system, a handling mechanism housing 92 has connected to it a channel-shaped input chute 94, which, in turn, has attached to it two oppositely disposed posts 96 and 98 which are commonly referred to as bayonet fittings. Each of the posts 96 and 98 has a lateral slot, such as a slot I00 in the post 96 and a slot 101 in the post 98. The chute 74 is provided with oppositely disposed recesses, such as recess 102 (only one of the recesses is shown in FIG. 3) which engages the posts 96 and 98 in a tight, sliding fit. To insure connection the chute is fitted with two flexible spring members, only one of which is shown, spring member 104, which may be constructed of spring steel. The member I04 has a flared portion 106 which will act as a cam follower surface when in contact with the upper rounded portion 108 of the post 96. The member 104 also includes an indent portion 110 which will snap into the groove I00 when the chute is fully engaged. As mentioned earlier the feeding chute may be used as the first part of the handling system in place of the vibratory feeder [0, FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a feeding conduit [20 for moving component carriers over an extended distance or to a higher position. The feeding conduit generally connects a handling mechanism to an automatic feeding device, such as the vibratory feeder 10, FIG. I. The conduit comprises an elongated passageway formed from a number of channel-shaped sections, such as a short first straight section 122 which establishes the input end 123 of the conduit and which is located immediately adjacent the output end of 124 of a feeding device. Adjoining the first straight section 122 is a first curved section 126 which changes the direction of the passageway from a generally horizontal direction to a vertical direction. Proceeding along the passageway to successive adjoining sections are a second straight section 128, a second curved section 130, a third straight section 132, a third curved section I34, and a fourth straight section 136 which ends at the output end 137 of the conduit. The output end adjoins an input chute I38 of a handling mechanism. The fourth section I36 is twisted slightly, as shown, so that it is compatible with an input chute, such as that shown in FIG. 3, which is shown in a slightly angular position. The reason for the input chute position will become clear after reviewing the description of FIGS. 30-36. It is, of course, understood that the fourth section I36 could also be a nontwisted section if the handling mechanism is compatible. Each section is channel-shaped having parallel inner and outer recesses extending the length of the passageway; for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the curved section has outer recesses I42 and 144 and inner recesses I46 and I48. The purpose of the outer recesses is to provide an engagement by which a plastic closure may be secured to the channel section. The plastic closure 150 has two projections I52 and I54 which are slidably engaged with the outer recesses 142 and 144, respectively. The inner recesses I46 and I48 act as a guide or a track for the traveling component carriers, such as exemplified by the carrier 156, which is shown in phantom line. The channel sections may be made of any convenient material, such as a workable metal like aluminum or may be conveniently made of an extruded synthetic resin material.

Located at each junction where two sections come together is a generally channel-shaped connector, such as exemplified by a connector 158 connecting sections 128 and I30. Each connector includes four fasteners, two of which attach the connector to one track section and the other two of which connect the connector to the adjoining track section; for example, the connector 158 has two threaded fasteners, such as screws I60 and 161, which attach to the curved section I30, while two other screws 162 and 163 connect to the straight section 128. Four other connectors I64, I65, I66, and I67 function identically to connector I58 and cooperate to rigidify the conduit as shown. Still another connector I68 is provided between the curved section I34 and the straight section 136 which connects the sections and acts as a mounting element for a sensing means, which will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

In FIG. 5, the component carriers are moved through the conduit in a serial fashion by a continuous stream of high pressure air. As shown, the curved section 126 has a mounting appendage 170 to which a hose 172 is connected for directing air from a high pressure source (not shown), through an opening 174 in the leg wall of the section 126. As shown, the curved section 126 causes a 90 change of conduit direction; by mounting the air hose at approximately 45 relative either end of the section and near its midpoint, the air stream enters the conduit tangentially. In a preferred embodiment constructed of metal where the component carriers are of plastic and there is a loose, sliding engagement between the carrier and the inner recesses, such as the recesses I46 and 148, then a blast of air introduced, as shown, will provide a sufiicient force to move a carrier beyond the curved section 130 to the curved section 134 where gravity will provide the necessary moving force to drive the carrier into the handling mechanism. As an example, where the conduit is 85 inches long, the vertical height between the straight section 122 and the straight section I32 is 42 inches. A pressure source supplying air at I pounds per square inch will provide adequate force to move the carriers in the prescribed manner.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an alternate way in which the carriers may be propelled through the conduit. A plan view is shown of a portion of a channel-shaped section I74, through which a carrier I76 is moving. Each of the legs of the section 174 has a slot, such as the opposite slots 178 and I80, to receive a small wheel, such as wheels 182 and 184, respectively. It is to be understood that the slot openings 178 and 180 are made through that portion of the leg between the inner and outer recesses of the section (refer to FIG. 6) so that the wheels may come into contact with the periphery of a carrier which rides within the inner recesses. Each of the wheels is connected to an external power source I86, the entire assembly of wheels, mounting support, drive mechanisms, and power source may be mounted to the particular section in a manner analogous to that shown for the air propulsion system of FIG. 5. By continually rotating the wheels 182 and 184, the wheel I82 rotating counterclockwise and the wheel I84 rotating clockwise, carriers will be catapulted in an upward direction, as depicted in the drawing of FIG. 7.

Affixed to the connector 168 and to an end connector 187 is a device for sensing the number of carriers adjacent to the output end I37 of the conduit. The sensing device comprises an upper light source 188 and a corresponding upper photo detector 190 mounted to connector I68 and a lower light source I92 and corresponding lower photo detector 194 mounted to connector 187. The two sensors are placed at predetermined locations, the bottom sensor I92, 194 being located sufficiently close to the output end of the conduit 137 so as to signal when the incoming component carriers are no longer backed up beyond the sensor. Such a signal may be used to shut down the handling system to conserve power or to indicate that more component carriers must be fed into the system. The upper sensor 188, 190 is positioned close to the location where the carriers begin their free fall under the influence of gravity. The purpose of the upper sensor is to prevent a back up of carriers within the curved section I34. Such a back up may cause carriers to be stranded in that portion of the section which is vertical.

In operation no signal is generated as long as carriers interfere with the transmission of light from the light source 192 to the photo detector 194. However, should the carrier level recede below the sensor I92, 194, a signal will be generated. In opposite fashion no signal is generated as long as there is no prolonged interference of the beam of light from the upper light source 188 to the upper photo sensor 190. A no signal mode will mean that the level of the component carriers waiting to be received by the handling mechanism is somewhere between the two sets of sensing devices. It is, of course, un-

derstood that while the conduit of FIG. 5 is shown as a relatively elongated passage, it may be shortened if it is found desirable to utilize the sensing devices to achieve a more fully automatic system.

Some of the advantages of having a feeding conduit, such as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, are that a handling device and a feeding device, such as the vibratory feeder 10, FIG. 1, may be spaced from one another; or the handling device may be located at a higher level than the feeding device. In either situation (or in case of both situations existing at the same time) a user of the handling system is provided with a considerable flexibility in utilin'ng available floor space for this equipment. Further, the conduit frees the feeding device from a dependency upon gravity as a prime motive force to move the carriers.

The conduit may be considered a portion of the first part of the system, as detailed above in relation to FIG. I.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 9a, there is illustrated a feeding chute connector 191, which may be used to connect the output chute of a handling mechanism to another chute which may be used in place of the sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 1. For example, it may be desirable to collect all of the tested components in a chute magazine in the same order as tested to facilitate later handling of the components. The connector 191 is a channel-shaped member having a base portion 193 and two leg portions 195 and 196. The channel member has two end portions, a first end portion 198 connected to an output chute 200 by threaded fasteners 202 and the second end portion 204 which is adapted to receive a chute 206.

The connector includes a handle 208 and shaft 210. The shaft extends from the leg 195 to the leg 196 along a semicylindrical groove 212 within the base [93. The shaft 210 extends through openings in each of the legs and is conveniently restrained by a locking washer (not shown) on one side and the handle 208 on the other side so that lateral movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 210 is prevented; however, the shaft is freely rotatable in its longitudinal axis.

As shown clearly in FIGS. 9 and 9a, a portion of the shaft has a semicircular cross section; the shaft comprises a flat surface 214 and a semicylindrical portion 215, extending along a substantial portion of the length of the shaft and two cylindri cal ends 216 and 220. The shaft 2I0 is rotatable between the two positions, a first position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9a, in which the handle 208 is generally in an upright position so that the semicylindrical portion 215 is positioned within the groove 212 and the flat portion 214 is essentially flush with the inner surface 218 of the base portion 193 and a second position in which the semicylindrical portion 215 is positioned within a semicylindrical groove 222 of the chute 206. The first position is referred to as the unlocked position and the second position is referred to as the locked position (see FIG. 9). In the first position the connector is ready to receive the chute 206 within the space defined between the base portion 193 and the legs I and 196. Once received the handle and shaft are rotated counterclockwise as depicted by the arrow in FIG. 8, to the second or locking position. When the groove 222 is aligned with the portion 215 of the shaft and the shalt is rotated, the chute 206 becomes firmly locked in position. To maintain the unlocked position of handle 208 in order to permit insertion of chute 206, a stop pin 221, FIG. 8, is provided attached to the leg I95.

A major advantage of the connector is the ease and thereby the quickness by which the connector may be moved between its locked and unlocked modes. Another advantage is the simplicity of construction which insures reliability and relatively low manufacturing costs.

As mentioned, the connector 191 may be used to connect the second and third parts of the system as described in relation to FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 through 17, there is illustrated in detail a handling mechanism for bringing a component in a carrier into contact with a test contactor. The handling mechanism 230 comprises a support structure including a front plate 232, a back plate 234, and two side plates 236 and 238. Additionally, the support structure includes a forward top plate 240, a rearward top plate-block 242, a bottom plate 243, and two guide rods 244 and 246. The guide rods 244 and 246 are connected to and extend between the front plate 232 and the back plate 234. The two top plates 240 and 242 are connected to and extend between the side plates 236 and 238, while the side plates are also connected to the front and rear plates. Slidable along the guide rods 244 and 246 is a transporter 248, which includes two front lateral bearing arms 250 and 252 and two rear lateral bearing arms 254 and 256. Each of the bearing arms has an opening to receive one of the two guide rods; for example, the bearing arms 252 and 256 receive the guide rod 246, while the bearing arms 250 and 254 receive the guide rod 244.

Connected to the transporter 248 is a cam surface in the form of a linear channel 258, which receives a cam follower plug 260. The cam follower plug is connected to a pivotable link 262, which, in turn, is connected to a shaft 264 and a second pivotable link 266. The second link 266 is connected to a rod arm 268 of a piston within an air cylinder not shown) which supplies the motive force to operate the mechanism. Reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted through pivoting motion of the links 266 and 262 to a reciprocating motion of the transporter along the guide rods. The transporter moves between two positions, a first position wherein the bearing arms 254, 256 are adjacent the rear plate 234, FIG. 10, and a second position wherein the bearing arms 250, 252 are adjacent the front plate 232, FIG. 14. The link 266 is designed to move through an arc of 180 which, when transmitted to the cam and the transporter, allows for a sufficiently precise movement of the transporter to prevent the transporter from colliding with either the front plate 232 or the rear plate 234. This prevents damage to the mechanism and greatly reduces the noise of operation.

The transporter further comprises two oppositely disposed arms 270 and 272, FIG. 14, each having opposing recesses 274 and 276 which receive a component carrier, such as the carrier 278. The transporter additionally includes an upstanding head portion 280 which extends generally parallel to the two guide rods 244 and 246 from the rear arms 254, 256 to partially between the arms 270 and 272. A component in a carrier, such as carrier 278, is introduced into the mechanism by an input track 282, FIG. 1 1, which is supported by and connected to the top plate-block 242; connection is made by two threaded fasteners 284 and 286. An incoming component carrier will fall through the input track 282 until coming to rest on two stop elements 288 and 290, FIG. 10, which are spaced from one another by a distance slightly less than the spacing between the two arms 270 and 272. The stop elements 288 and 290 are attached with threaded fasteners to the top plate 242.

Positioned adjacent and just below the transporter 248, when the transporter is in its second position, is a support block 292, FIGS. 11 and 14, which is connected to the bottom plate 243 by threaded fasteners, such as fastener 296. Located above the support block 292 are two cam arms 298 and 300, FIGS. and II. The cam arms are connected to the top plate 240.

The stop elements 288 and 290 first receive a componentcarrier as it enters the handling mechanism, the position of the carrier on the elements constituting a first level, FIG. 12. The transporter is at this time in its first position. Upon movement of the transporter to its second position, the component-carrier is taken off the stop elements and drops to the guide block 292, the carrier on the support block constituting a second level, FIG. 13. If for some reason the component-carrier does not drop completely from the first level to the second level, the carrier will be caught between the advancing transporter and the cam arms 298, 290 which will bias the componentcarrier to the second level, thereby having it correctly aligned to come in contact with the test contactor 302.

Connected to the u'ansporter is a biasing rod 304, FIGS. 11 and 16. The rod 304 is connected to two arms 306 and 308 by two laterally extending pins 310 and 312, pin 310 extending between the rod and the arm 306 and pin 312 extending between the rod and the arm 308. Each of the arms is pivoted about a threaded fastener which connects a corresponding arm to one of the two transporter arms 270 and 272. More specifically, arm 308 is connected to the transporter arm 270, and arm 306 is connected to the transporter arm 272. Each of the arms 306, 308 opposite the end connected to the pins has a protruding nose, such as nose 314 of the arm 306 and nose 316 of the arm 308. Connected to the top plate 240 is a mounting block 318 through which two rods 320 and 322 are slidable. About each rod on one side of the mounting block 318 is a spring, such as spring 324 about the rod 320 and spring 326 about the rod 322. Each of the rods is capped with a cap nut, such as cap nut 328 on the rod 320 and cap nut 330 on the rod 322. In the position shown in FIG. 10, each of the cap nuts 328 and 330 abuts the plate-block 242. Mounted to the ends of the rods opposite the cap nuts is a depending plate 332 having two downwardly extending fingers 334 and 336. When the transporter is in its second position, FIG. 14, the noses 314 and 316 will abut, respectively, the fingers 334 and 336, FIG. 17. When abutment occurs, the arms 306 and 308 will pivot about their threaded fasteners to transmit linear motion to the biasing rod having the rod extend forwardly, as shown in FIG. 17. The function of the biasing rod is to apply pressure against a component, such as component 340, mounted in the carrier so as to insure a proper seating within the carrier. If the component is properly seated, the component leads 342 will project a sufficient distance to enable the test contactor to make reliable electrical contact.

Spaced immediately adjacent the support block 292 is an output chute 344, FIG. 11, which is aligned with the input track 282. When the component carrier is being gravity fed through the handling mechanism, the support block 292 will support the carrier during transporter cycle when the transporter is moving from its first position to its second position and during most of the return movement to the first position. The support block extends from the front plate 232 to the output chute 344. Once the carrier reaches the output chute it will drop into a sorting device or other receptacle.

The handling mechanism also includes three switches, a rear switch 346 which is connected to the back plate 234 and which is activated by the linear channel 258 abutting a switch plunger 348, FIG. 10, when the transporter is in its first position. A forward switch 349, FIG. 11, is activated by the bearing arm 250 of the transporter when the transporter is in its second position. A third switch is connected to the rod 268 and is not shown. The function of the switches is to signal electronic circuitry to delay the transporter in its first position to allow a new carrier to drop into the mechanism (switch 346) and to start the test of the component when the transporter is in its second position (switch 349).

Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13, and 15, the operation of the handling mechanism is briefly reviewed. As mentioned, upon entering the input track the component-carrier drops to the stop elements which establish a first level. At this time the transporter is in its first position and the rear switch 346 is activated. The transporter then moves towards its second position, causing the component-carrier to be dropped to the support block (or biased to the support block by the cam arms). The carrier makes contact with the test contactor; at the same time the forward switch is activated. After a predetermined period of time, the transporter is returned toward its first position with the carrier being supported by the support block. Upon return to the first position, the carrier is moved off the support block to the output chute where it is emitted from the handling mechanism. At the same time a new carrier has moved into position at the first level, and the rear switch 346 has been activated.

The handling mechanism is quick and reliable and integrates easily with any high I.C. production system. Addi- 

1. A component handling system comprising: a. means for receiving and for orienting a plurality of components; and b. a handling mechanism disposed within a housing and including means for receiving said component and for positioning said component at a first level and means for removing said component from said receiving and positioning means, for cooperating to cause said component to move from said first level to a second level, for moving said component into contact with a test contactor and for moving said component away from said test contactor, a sorting apparatus for receiving tested components from said handling mechanism comprising a sorting structure; a plurality of containers removably supported by said sorting structure, said containers being adapted to receive sorted components; an enclosure in communication with said sorting structure having one end for receiving serially a plurality of said components to be sorted and having another end in communication with said containers for depositing said components into sorted groups; a partition operative with said enclosure for providing paths within said enclosure, at least a portion of said partition being movable in response to a signal for directing said components to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving said partition in response thereto.
 2. A component handling system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiving and orienting means comprises: a vibratory container for receiving in batch a plurality of components, for orienting said components in a predetermined attitude and for feeding said components serially to said handling mechanism.
 3. An environmental component handling system comprising; a. means for receiving and for orienting a plurality of components; and b. a housing having an outer shell of metal, a first layer of foil adjoining said outer shell of metal, a first layer of polyurethane foam adjoining said first layer of foil, a second layer of foil adjoining said first layer of polyurethane Foam, a second layer of polyurethane foam adjoining said second layer of foil, a third layer of foil adjoining said second layer of polyurethane foam, and an inner shell of metal adjoining said third layer of foil; c. means disposed within said housing for receiving and for temporarily storing components; transfer means disposed within said housing for receiving serially said components from said receiving and storing means, for moving said components into contact with a test contactor and for moving said components away from said test contactor; d. index means connected to said housing for moving said receiving and storing means; e. means connected to said housing for cycling said transfer means and for actuating said index means; f. a door positioned in an opening in said housing, said opening providing access to said receiving and storing means, said transfer means and said index means; g. a fan enclosure comprising a channel-shaped mounting bracket having an aperture in its base portion for positioning a fan so as to have said fan, when operating, direct a stream of air through said aperture across the opening of said housing; h. a fan connected to said mounting bracket; and i. a support frame for connecting said mounting bracket to said housing, a sorting apparatus for receiving tested components from said handling mechanism comprising a sorting structure; a plurality of containers removably supported by said sorting structure, said containers being adapted to receive sorted components; an enclosure in communication with said sorting structure having one end for receiving serially a plurality of said components to be sorted and having another end in communication with said containers for depositing said components into sorted groups; a partition operative with said enclosure for providing paths within said enclosure, at least a portion of said partition being movable in response to a signal for directing said components to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving said partition in response thereto.
 4. An environmental component handling system comprising: a feeding means for receiving in batch a plurality of components, for orienting said components in a predetermined attitude; a handling mechanism, b. conduit means for moving said components from said feeding means to said handling mechanism; c. an insulated housing for enclosing said handling mechanism; d. said handling mechanism including a rotatable drum means disposed within said housing for receiving and for temporarily storing components; e. a transfer means disposed within said housing for receiving serially said components from said receiving and storing means, for moving said components into contact with a test contactor and for moving said components away from said test contactor; f. an index means connected to said housing for rotating said receiving and storing means; g. linkage means connected to said housing for cycling said transfer means and for actuating said index means; and h. electrical and mechanical means for actuating said linkage means, a sorting apparatus for receiving tested components from said handling mechanism comprising a sorting structure; a plurality of containers removably supported by said sorting structure, said containers being adapted to receive sorted components; an enclosure in communication with said sorting structure having one end for receiving serially a plurality of said components to be sorted and having another end in communication with said containers for depositing said components into sorted groups; a partition operative with said enclosure for providing paths within said enclosure, at least a portion of said partition being movable in response to a signal for directing said components to one of said containers; and means for receiving a signal and for moving said partition in response thereto.
 5. A pivotal partition structure comprising: a. a partitioN plate of synthetic resin material having two end portions and two lateral edge portions; b. an opening in said plate for receiving a shaft positioned adjacent one end portion; and c. a sleeve in said plate spaced from said opening and said one end portion for receiving a means for pivoting said plate about an axis coincident with the center line of said opening.
 6. A pivotal partition structure as claimed in claim 5 including a reinforcing strip of synthetic resin material attached to said plate along one of said lateral edge portions.
 7. A sorting apparatus adapted to receive a plurality of components from sorting into predetermined groups comprising: a. a support structure; b. a housing mounted to said support structure, said housing having an upper opening to receive serially a plurality of components to be sorted and five lower openings at a lower vertical height than said upper opening for emitting serially the sorted plurality of products; c. four pivotal partitions and a plurality of fixed partitions each connected to said housing, said pivotal partitions being responsive to a signal for directing said components along one of five different paths; d. four signal receiving means connected to said housing for moving said pivotal partitions; and e. a plurality of containers removably supported by said support structure at a lower vertical height than said housing for receiving sorted components.
 8. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said four pivotal partitions are each movable between two positions with no more than two partitions pivotal during any one sorting operation.
 9. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said pivotal partitions comprises a partition plate of synthetic resin material having two end portions and two lateral edge portions; an opening in said plate for receiving a shaft positioned adjacent one end portion; and a sleeve in said plate spaced from said opening and said one end portion for receiving a means for pivoting said plate about an axis coincident with the center line of said opening; and wherein said four signal receiving means comprise four rotary solenoids; and said four pivotal partitions are each movable between two positions with no more than two partitions pivotal during any one sorting operation. 